Despite Georgia’s 41-31 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night, head coach Kirby Smart found himself in hot water after an incident late in the game.
During a critical play with just under three minutes left, Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. made a 6-yard run and was pushed out of bounds on the Georgia sideline by Bulldogs safety Dan Jackson.
As Smart rushed over to communicate with defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, he collided with Van Buren, appearing to push the quarterback aside.
The incident occurred as emotions ran high, with Smart visibly frustrated.
He ripped off his visor and began shouting at Schumann, which is when Van Buren crossed his path. Smart later addressed the situation, explaining the shove was unintentional.
âI think I was going after Schumann,â Smart told reporters after the game. âI was trying to get Schumannâs attention. We were trying to change personnel. I think itâs the play they came over to our sideline and trying to get Schumannâs attention. But, no, I donât really remember it.â
The play went unpenalized, but some Mississippi State fans took to social media, arguing that Smartâs contact with Van Buren warranted a response from the officials.
“The UGA media defending Kirby Smart are absolutely embarrassing themselves … This is indefensible behavior by a head coach of his stature … Sorry, the whole âhe didnât know who it was,â âhe didnât see him,â âit wasnât that hard of a shoveâ arguments are absurd … Do better, Dawgs.”
“Kirby Smart has to be suspended for shoving an opposing player like he did last night for Georgia. Has to. Completely uncalled for.”
“The SEC, the national media, and the local Georgia media need to hold Kirby Smart to account for shoving an opposing player during a game … We don’t know intent. We know action. He did it … Call it out. Do something about it.”
“So Kirby Smart can shove one of our players in front of an official and nothing happens?”
While Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby declined to comment, stating he hadnât seen the interaction, Van Buren himself was unsure how to interpret what had happened.
âIâm not really sure what that was, but I was just trying to play my game,â Van Buren said. âI didnât really see it for real.â
Van Buren, who was making just his second college start, performed well despite the loss. He completed 20 of 37 passes for 306 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception.
It should be noted that after Smart had time to review footage of the play, he contracted Van Buren to apologize for the bizarre incident.
âKirby Smart said he spoke yesterday to Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren Jr., and âtold him I had no intentions or ill will at all,’â Seth Emerson of The Athletic reported on X. âSmart said he didnât realize he had shoved Van Buren until he saw the tape on Sat. night, and immediately called coach Jeff Lebby.â
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stuck up for Smart and made it clear that no punishment is necessary. âI am confident the contact was not intentional, and the clear expectation is this conduct will not happen again,â he said.
We’ve seen several instances of players blacking out on the field and losing themselves in the emotion and adrenaline of the moment.
However, it’s not too often you see it happen to coaches.
What are your thoughts on the situation???